U-shaped platelike components and connecting elements therefor

ABSTRACT

A set of toy components made of platelike material and of Ushaped form. Screws and internally screw-threaded sleeves or other fasteners are provided for connecting the elements together. The elements are provided with hole arrangements so as to allow the limbs of a U-shaped part to be connected with the web portion of another element. The fasteners may have sockets for fastening axles and wheels thereto.

United; States Patent Biesterfeld et al.

[ 1 Feb. 29, 1972 [54] U-SHAPED PLATELIKE COMPONENTS AND CONNECTING ELEMENTS THEREFOR [72] Inventors: Horst Biesterteld; Manfred Brennecke;

Sampo Widmann, all of Munich, Germany [73] Assignee: Bertram Deininger, Munich, Oerrnany [22] Filed: Oct. 9, 1970 A [21] App1.No.: 79,571

30 Foreign Application Priority m Oct. 10, 1969 Germany ..P 19 51 313.4

[52] 11.8. CI. .;46/23,v297/1 18, 297/440 [51 1 Int. Cl. ..A63h 33/06 [58] FieldofSearch ..46/16,l7,23,26,31,15;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,079,245 11/1913 l-Iornby ...46/23 2,609,638 9/1952 Lindenrneyer 46/16 X 2,988,844 6/1961 Frimberger ..46/30 3,570,418 3/1971 Gooding ..297/440 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 998,487 9/1951 France ..46/17 Primary Examiner-F. Barry Shay Attorney-Ostrolenk, Faber, Gerb & Soffen [57] ABSTRACT A set of toy components made of platelike material and of U- shaped form. Screws and internally screw-threaded sleeves or other fasteners are provided for connecting the elements together. The elements are provided with hole arrangements so as to allow the limbs of a U-shaped part to be connected with the web portion of another element. The fasteners may have sockets for fastening axles and wheels thereto.

11 Claims, Drawing Figures Patentd Feb. 29, 1972 3,645,036

3 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Feb. 29, 1972 3,645,036

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.4

Patented Feb. 29, 1972 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 U-SIIAPED PLATELIKE COMPONENTS AND CONNECTING ELEMENTS THEREFOR The present invention relates to toys, and more particularly. to toy and furniture constructional sets for children, comprising several U-shaped platelike toy elements which can be connected by means of connecting elements.

One object of the invention is to provide such a constructional set in which the number of basic elements for a structure is reduced while nevertheless making possible a systematic construction of all articles coming into question and only using similar basic elements and suitable connecting means. I

In order to achieve this aim the present invention provides that all components are made with an identical shape and size, the rectangular centerplate and also the side limbs, whose height is less than half the smallest rectangular side, being pro vided with a-regular hole arrangement, the hole spacing fulfilling the following conditions:

a. In the case of the regular hole arrangement on-the centerplate the holes are arranged on the points of intersection of a square line network and the smallest hole spacing is.

equal to the edge hole spacing or an integral multiple of the regular hole arrangement in the limbs comprises a single hole series with the above-mentioned minimum hole spacing, the spacing of the limb holes from the upper surface of the centerplate being equal to the spacing of the edge holes of the centerplate from the outer surface of the limbs; and t c. the spacing between the limb holes and the start of the transitional curvature leading to the centerplate is at least as great as the edge hole spacing of the limbs.

As will be explained in detail below, this basic construction of the toyelement makes possible the construction of chairs, tables, cupboards and other toy furniture by using connecting elements, which are passed through holes after the holes have been aligned.

Furthennore, the toy elements constructed in accordance with the invention, which all have the same basic shape, also have a great value for the younger child, who is not yet in a position to do up screw connections or the like, because simply by placing these components on top of one another and beside one another the younger child has his imagination awakened. For thispurpose for satisfying the desire to play in the case of younger children it is highly convenient if all toy elements have the same shape and size because the construction, more particularly as regards duplicating theelement, is simplified.

The connection of the individual toy elements can be carried out in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention by means of screwbolts. In this case each bolt .or screw is provided with a screw sleeve with an internal thread and a head, whose extemal diameter corresponds to the hole diameter and whose length corresponds approximately totwice the thickness of the centerplate and of the limbs respectively. This threaded sleeve construction when used instead of nuts 'as otherwise conventional, facilitates the fixing together of the parts, more particularly for very young children, and furthermore the opportunity is provided of using a long load supporting screw thread, something which is particularly convenient when the screw connecting parts are made of plastics material, in accordance with a preferred feature of the invention.

The length of the shank of the bolt and the lengthof the threaded sleeve is selected in this case preferably so thatthe components can be tightened up in relation to each other. If necessary it would however also be possible to make the length somewhat greater so that in the screwed'together condition of the connecting parts a certain play is left between the individual elements.

Instead ofthe screw connection system it is'also possible to use a bayonet connection.

The screw or bolt heads of the connecting elements, which are preferably made of plastics material, can have flats for 75 enabling a spanner to obtain purchase on them or can be provided with a slot for a screwdriver. In accordance with a preferred form of the invention there is however the provision that the screws or bolts and the cooperating screw sleeves are provided with large heads adapted to be gripped externally, so that without the use of a spanner a comparatively high torque can be applied.

With the basic elements and the connecting elements described above it is possible to constructthe most varied articles of furniture and other structures. Generally there is also the requirement amongst young children to make structures in any particular manner they wish to choose. In order to meet this requirement, wheels and rollers are provided in accordancewith the invention as further components and can be fixed using the holes by means of an axle. In accordance with a preferred form oftheinvention the heads of the screws or bolts or of the threaded sleeves are provided with an axially extending receiving hole, in which a plug-in axle can be fixed and held byfriction. lnsteadof this it would however also be.

possible to provide a threaded joint.

As is further possible alternative the axle carrying the wheel or roller can also be made integrally with the screwhead or sleeve head.

In what follows embodiments of the invention are described with referenceto the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows in plan, elevation, and side view a square toy element in accordance with the invention with three holes.

FIG. 2 is aside view of two toy elements in accordance with FIG. I on a larger scale connected together by connecting elements.

FIG. 3'is a side view of a guide or steering roller or wheel arranged on a toy element.

FIG. 4. is a side view of a wheel fixed to the limb of a toy element.

FIG. 5 diagrammatically shows some possibilities of joining the toy elements together. v

FIG. 6 shows some constructions with wheels.

In accordancewith the embodiment of FIG. 1 the toy element comprises a square center or middle plate 10 and two lateral limbs 12, which are connected with the centerplate 10 via a curved portion l4.-The middle plate 10 has three holes 16 arranged respectively in a regular arrangement along each edge and the lateral limbs 12 are provided with holes 18. The holes 16 and 18 are aligned with each other and their axes lie in common planes 20 which run perpendicularly in relation to the centerplate 10 and the lateral limbs 12. The connecting lines between the center points form a square line network.

The hole spacing a between the holes 16 and the surface of the side limbs 12 is equal to the hole spacing b between the holes 18 and the surface of the middle plate. The spacing c between the centers of the holes 18 in the limbs and the start of the curved portion-l4 leading to the middle plateis greater or equal to the edge hole spacing d. The shortest hole spacing e between the holes 16 and the holes 18 is twice as large, in accordance with this embodiment of the invention, as the edge hole spacing a. Instead of this it could also be equal to the product of. the integer one and the edge hole spacing, or it could besome other integral multiple of the edge hole spacing. The web height (b=d) amounts in accordance with the embodiment of the invention to approximately a quarter of the length of the side of a square.

In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in the center or middle plate 10 only edge holes 16 are provided, though I it could also be possible to provide additionally a center hole in the network formed by the hole axes.

The absolute size of a square side of the toy element in accordance with FIG. 1 amounts, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, to 40 cm. It has been found that toy elements of this size are particularly suitable for all age classes'of children.

FIG. 2 shows, on a scale which is somewhat greater than thatin FIG. 1, the connection of two toy. elements together. The connecting elements consistof a screw-threaded sleeve 20 and a screw or bolt 22. The sleeve 20 has a cylindrical smooth outersurface with a diameter corresponding to the hole diameter and is provided with an internal screw thread. At the rear end the screw sleeve 20 is provided with a head 24, which can be provided with flats for cooperation with a spanner. Furthermore, the screw or bolt 22 has a head 26 which can be provided with flats for cooperation with a spanner. Preferably, however, the heads 24 and 26 are so constructed that they can be tightened by the child without using any tool. For this purpose the heads can be provided with gripping means such as grooves or a knurled surface, the diameter of the screwhead being as large as possible. As a further possible alternative it is possible to provide gripping surfaces by providing wings so that the structure resembles a wing nut.

The screw or bolt 22 is screwed into the internal thread of the screw sleeve 20, the length of the screw sleeve 20 and the length of the screw shank being so dimensioned in relation to the thickness of the material of the limbs 12 and the centerplates that the two limbs can be joined by pressing so as to provide a force fit.

FIG. 3 shows a screw sleeve 30 with a head 34 which differs from the screw sleeve 20 in accordance with FIG. 2 in that its length corresponds to the thickness of an element. This screw sleeve is inserted to a hole in the center or middle plate 10 and a screw or bolt 22 is screwed in from below. The length of the bolt can correspond to the bolt 22 shown in FIG. 2. In order to ensure a frictional connection with only one single element the head 34 of the screw sleeve has a threaded blind hole extending the female thread in the sleeve.

The screw or bolt 22 is provided with a central hole 36 in which the axle 38 of a steering wheel or roller 40 can be plugged in or screwed in. The steering roll axle 38 can conveniently be made with the screw or bolt 22 as a complete unit.

In accordance with FIG. 4 the hole of the limb or rib 12 has a screw sleeve 30, corresponding to the screw sleeve in accordance'with FIG. 3, inserted into it. The screw sleeve 30 has a head 34 and into it a screw or bolt 22 is screwed in in accordance with FIG. 3. This screw or bolt also has a central hole 36, into which a plug-in axle 38 can be inserted. Altematively the axle 38 can be provided with a screw thread. In this case it is however necessary to ensure that the axle 38 is fixed at least axially within the screw or bolt 22. Preferably this axle 38 is connected with the screw or bolt 22 also in such a manner as to cut out relative rotation between them. The axle 38 is provided on its outer end with a limiting flange 42 and carries a wheel 44 with a tire 46 of rubber or the like. Between the wheel 44 and the flange 42 and the head 26 washers 48 are arranged.

Preferably the lateral bearing, comprising a screw or bolt 22 and, the axle 38 is provided with the wheel 44 as a complete unit so that it is not necessary for the child to assemble the lateral bearing himself.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show only a few possibilities for assembling the toy elements. FIG. 5 shows some of the possibilities as regards the connection together of two toy elements with an alignment of the surfaces or edges of the two elements. FIG. 6 shows some possibilities as regards the construction of a vehicle with wheels.

We claim:

1. A constructional set for children comprising U-shaped platelike toy components and connecting elements for connecting the toy components together, in which all said components are constructed with an identical shape and size, each said component having a rectangular centerplate having upper and lower surfaces, opposed side limbs projecting angularly from said plate at the lower surface thereof, the side limbs and centerplate being joined by a transitional curvature, the projecting distance of said limbs being less than half the dimension of said centerplate in the direction from limb to limb, each said component being provided with a regular hole arrangement, the hole spacing fulfilling the following conditions: a. the regular hole arrangement on the centerplate being such that the holes are arranged on points of intersection of a square line network, the network having boundaries parallel to the centerplate boundaries and the smallest hole spacing being equal to an integral multiple of the edge hole spacing;

. the regular hole arrangement in each said limb comprising a single row of holes with the above-mentioned minimum hole spacing, the spacing of the limb holes from the upper surface of the centerplate being equal to said edge hole spacing of the centerplate holes; and

. the spacing between the limb holes and the start of the transitional curvature leading to the centerplate being at least as great as the spacing between said row and the free edge of the limb.

2. A set in accordance with claim 1 in which the centerplate is square and is provided along each side with three said holes.

3. A set in accordance with claim 2 in which the web height of the limbs measured as far as the upper surface of the plate is approximately a quarter of the size of the square side.

4. A set in accordance with claim 1, said centerplate and limbs being of generally uniform thickness, said connection elements including a bolt and a sleeve with an internal thread, each said element having a head dimensioned so as to seat about the edge of one said hole and having a length approximately twice said thickness.

5. A set in accordance with claim 1, said connecting elements comprising a bolt and sleeve including a bayonet joint for connecting the toy elements.

6. A set in accordance with claim 4 in which the bolt and the sleeve heads are of a size adapted to be readily grasped in and turned with the hand.

7. A set in accordance with claim 4 comprising an axle and means whereby the axle is fixed on the head of one or said connecting elements.

8. A set in accordance with claim 7 comprising a wheel on the axle, the diameter of the wheel being greater than the height of the limb.

9. A set in accordance with claim 7 in which the axle carries a steering roller.

10. A set in accordance with claim 9 in which the axle is made in one piece with the bolthead.

11. A set in accordance with claim 9 in which the axle is made in one piece with the screw sleeve head. 

1. A constructional set for children comprising U-shaped platelike toy components and connecting elements for connecting the toy components together, in which all said components are constructed with an identical shape and size, each said component having a rectangular centerplate having upper and lower surfaces, opposed side limbs projecting angularly from said plate at the lower surface thereof, the side limbs and centerplate being joined by a transitional curvature, the projecting distance of said limbs being less than half the dimension of said centerplate in the direction from limb to limb, each said component being provided with a regular hole arrangement, the hole spacing fulfilling the following conditions: a. the regular hole arrangement on the centerplate being such that the holes are arranged on points of intersection of a square line network, the network having boundaries parallel to the centerplate boundaries and the smallest hole spacing being equal to an integral multiple of the edge hole spacing; b. the regular hole arrangement in each said limb comprising a single row of holes with the above-mentioned minimum hole spacing, the spacing of the limb holes from the upper surface of the centerplate being equal to said edge hole spacing of the centerplate holes; and c. the spacing between the limb holes and the start of the transitional curvature leading to the centerplate being at least as great as the spacing between said row and the free edge of the limb.
 2. A set in accordance with claim 1 in which the centerplate is square and is provided along each side with three said holes.
 3. A set in accordance with claim 2 in which the web height of the limbs measured as far as the upper surface of the plate is approximately a quarter of the size of the square side.
 4. A set in accordance with claim 1, said centerplate and limbs being of generally uniform thickness, said connection elements including a bolt and a sleeve with an internal thread, each said element having a head dimensioned so as to seat about the edge of one said hole and having a length approximately twice said thickness.
 5. A set in accordance with claim 1, said connecting elements comprising a bolt and sleeve including a bayonet joint for connecting the toy elements.
 6. A set in accordance with claim 4 in which the bolt and the sleeve heads are of a size adapted to be readily grasped in and turned with the hand.
 7. A set in accordance with claim 4 comprising an axle and means whereby the axle is fixed on the head of one or said connecting elements.
 8. A set in accordance with claim 7 comprising a wheel on the axle, the diameter of the wheel being greater than the height of the limb.
 9. A set in accordance with claim 7 in which the axle carries a steering roller.
 10. A set in accordance with claim 9 in which the axle is made in one piece with the bolthead.
 11. A set in accordance with claim 9 in which the axle is made in one piece with the screw sleeve head. 